Official Portal of Tourism. Junta de Castilla y Leon

Before you take the way. Prepare and inform yourself:

Do not forget, in addition to the ID or passport, health card or similar. See your Health Center will advise you, especially if you follow some type of treatment or have any health problems.

Kit: It is useful to carry antiseptic, healing material (plaster, plasters, bandages), analgesics, antiinflammatory, hypodermic needle and thread to the healing of sores, mosquito repellent, antihistamines (for allergies), antifungals, and protection cream solar.

Prepare your wardrobe, adapted to the time when the pilgrimage takes place. The footwear is essential. It is advisable high boots to prevent ankle sprains, it is also waterproof and breathable to prevent problems arising from excessive sweating (blisters, fungal infection). Bring flip-flops to wear in the shower.

Work out. Walk a few days before with the same shoes you will use on the road and with a weight on your back like that will carry it. Keep it up, but little weight. Do not overload the bag (not more than 10 kilos) and place the heaviest down, glued to the back.

On the way...

Prepare daily. Avoid the heat of the day. Start the day as early as possible and protect yourself from the sun (cream, hat, sunglasses). Stretch before you go.

Watch your diet to prevent possible gastroenteritis. Wash vegetables and fruits. Eat mayonnaise always industrial type, never home. During the summer, watch out the pantry. Do not drink water from fountains, rivers, etc. unfit for consumption (not drinkable).

In the shelters, for your health and that of the others, it is essential good personal hygiene.

After way

Back home, if there is any health problem you have had in your pilgrimage, please consult your doctor.

Follow these tips and happy pilgrimage!

For many, making the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela on foot is one of the most fulfilling and gratifying experiences of their lives. It is both a physical and mental challenge that requires thorough preparation. A good way of starting is to read up on the history of the Route and the pilgrimage. This will help pilgrims identify with those that have gone before them, as well as enabling them to get more out of the experience.

There is a vast number of books on the Pilgrims’ Route to Santiago, make your choice from this wide selection, read and try to plan your various stages beforehand; bearing in mind that ideally you should cover an average distance of between 25 and 30 kilometres a day. You could also include the odd rest day, or alternate longer stages with shorter ones, making them coincide with places you would particularly like to spend longer visiting. This will provide you with rest periods, but will not break your rhythm.

You don’t have to be a highly-trained athlete to make the pilgrimage on foot; however, it is important to pace your efforts in accordance with your possibilities. Prior training and walking sessions are therefore highly recommendable.

There are basic points for consideration when getting your gear ready. Your backpack will be your faithful travelling companion for long hours, and must therefore be comfortable and light to carry; a sleeping bag is essential if you’re planning to stay at the pilgrims’ refuges and hostels; clothing should be kept to a minimum and a cagoule or cape that can also cover your backpack in the event of rain.

It’s always a good idea to carry a small amount of food with you, especially nuts or chocolate, and keep your water bottle full at all times; don’t forget your European Health Insurance Card; the Certificate of Completion; you may also find it useful to carry a small diary or notebook to write down your impressions or include the many and varied stamps you will find along the Route.

When walking, remember that the entire Route is marked with yellow arrows and milestones. In summer, get up a bit earlier to avoid walking in the full heat of the day. Remember to use sun cream and for the first few days avoid wearing just T-shirts and shorts. At first, try not to walk too fast - you’ll soon settle into your own natural pace. If you’re part of a group, adapt the pace to that of the slowest walker, and take care when walking on roads.

The origins of the modern-day pilgrim’s credentials, which are only given to those completing all or par t of the Pilgrims’ Route to Santiago on foot, by bicycle or on horseback, lie in the letters of recommendation or safe conduct passes that were granted by kings, princes, members of the clergy, popes and other authorities during the early days of the Pilgrims’ Route to those travelling to Compostela.

The credentials are granted by the Church, the Friends of the Pilgrim’s Route to Santiago Associations, the Brotherhoods or other institutions duly authorised to this effect by Santiago Cathedral. They are issued prior to the star t of the Route or at the starting point by the organizations listed above. It is advisable to take a letter or document that identifies the applicant.

The credentials entitle those that have covered at least the last hundred kilometres of the Route on foot or horseback, or the last two hundred kilometres by bike, to obtain the certificate known as the ‘Compostela’. Issued by Santiago Cathedral, it certifies that the pilgrim has successfully reached Santiago de Compostela and has done so for religious reasons. In recent years the religious authorities in Santiago de Compostela have introduced an alternative diploma that replaces the credentials for those who opt to follow the Pilgrimage Route for other reasons.

Originally the ‘Compostela’ was written on parchment, and for some time now it has been printed on paper, featuring the characteristic border of oak leaves and scallop shells – the traditional emblem of Saint James -, with the pilgrim’s name written in Latin. The document is signed at the bottom by the Pilgrims’ Canon, who is in charge of the Pilgrims’ Office. Originally, the ‘Compostela’ would in theory have been signed by the Archbishop, although common practice was for the canon responsible for the pilgrims to sign it on his behalf.